Maple Lake Ontario

Haliburton County Winter Trail Report – February 12-15, 2010

Ξ February 12th, 2010 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Algonquin Township, Haliburton Highlands, Haliburton, Haliburton Highlands, Maple Lake Ontario, NON paid Post, Ontario, Trails, Travel/Vacation, cottage country, fun activity, nature, weather, winter |

Photo Credit: http://skihaliburton.com

Thanks to the County of Haliburton Tourism Department for this report!

What’s Happening this Week in the Haliburton Highlands

Ξ December 22nd, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Algonquin Township, Haliburton Highlands, Food and/or Drink, Haliburton, Haliburton Highlands, Maple Lake Ontario, Minden Hills Township, NON paid Post, Travel/Vacation, community services, cottage country, entertainment, family, holiday(s), lodging |

Haliburton Highlands – A Natural Work of Art

Tourism Information Centre
www.haliburtonholidays.ca
tourism@county.haliburton.on.ca
Tel:705-286-1777 or 1-800-461-7677

Upcoming Events

Free Skating – Wilberforce
Free Skating – Minden Hills
Public Skating – Haliburton
Solstice Samba
Northwood Inn
Yours Outdoors
Pinestone
Pinestone

Free Skating – Wilberforce Arena:
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 from 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 27th, 2009 from 12:30 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 from 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 3rd, 2010 from 12:30 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.

Should you have any questions or concerns contact 613-339-2442.

Free Skating -
S.G.Nesbitt Memorial Arena, Minden

Tues., Dec 22nd 11:00am-1:00pm sponsored by Subway Development-Kenfield Enterprises Ltd.

Wed., Dec 23rd 11:00am-1:00pm sponsored by Tim Hortons

Thurs., Dec 24th – closed at noon
Fri., Dec 25th – closed
Sat., Dec 26th – closed

Sun., Dec 27th 11:00am-1:00pm sponsored by Minden Pharmasave

Mon., Dec 28th 11:00am-1:00pm sponsored by Tim Hortons

Tues, Dec 29th 11:00am-1:00pm sponsored by Floyd Hall Limited

Wed., Dec 30th 11:00am-1:00pm sponsored by Minden Pharmasave

Thur., Dec 31st 11:00am-1:00pm sponsored by Tim Hortons

Fri., Jan 1st – closed
For more information please contact the Minden Arena at 705-286-1936

Public Skating – Dysart Arena

Monday, December 21st 11:00-12:30
Tuesday, December 22nd 11:00-12:30
Wednesday, December 23rd 11:00-12:30

Thursday, December 24th No Public Skating
Friday, December 25th No Public Skating
Saturday, December 26th No Public Skating

Sunday, December 27th 12:00- 1:30
Monday, December 28th 11:00-12:30
Tuesday, December 29th 11:00-12:30
Wednesday, December 30th 11:00-12:30
Thursday, December 31st 11:00-12:30

Friday, January 1st No Public Skating
Saturday, January 2nd No Public Skating

Sunday, January 3rd 12:00- 1:30

Price is $2.00 per person.
For further information please contact
the Dysart Arena at 457-2083

Solstice Samba

Winter Solstice (Credit: Photobucket)

December 20, 2009
Celebrate the darkest night of the year by drinking deeply of winter’s magical gifts with winter rumi’nations. Bring a couplet or quatrain of wisdom to guide us out of the dark days into the light. The words may be from Rumi, Hafez, or your own, or from your favourite mystic or poet. Also bring drums or something to beat, stomping feet, and prayers that are sweet. Gaia Centre, Sunday, Dec. 20. 7:00 pm Fire circle RSVP Carol or Paul, info@gaiacentre.org
Visit Website www.gaiacentre.org
Gaia Centre West Guilford
Contact: Carol Tel: 705-754-2427
Email: info@gaiacentre.org
Pre Game Show Live at the Northwood Inn
December 26 2009

LIVE BAND!!! Pre Game Show returns by popular request. Show starts at 10pm.
Visit Website www.northwoodinn.ca

Northwood Inn, Haliburton, Ontario

13588 Hwy 118 Haliburton
Contact: Bonnie Tel: (705) 457-1710
Email: info@northwoodinn.ca

Make Peace with Winter – One Day Sampler Adventure
December 30 2009

Try a little winter. Embrace the winter wonders of the Haliburton Highlands with a full day sampler of unique, fun, and active adventures. You will start the day with dog sledding followed by your choice of snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in the afternoon. Along the way we will indulge in a tasty bush lunch. This fully guided one day package is available with or without accommodation. Please book at least one week in advance.

Visit Website www.yoursoutdoors.ca
Haliburton County Haliburton
Contact: Barrie Martin Tel: 705-754-3436
Email: info@yoursoutdoors.ca
New Year’s Eve Magical Family Gala
December 31 2009

A fun-filled evening for the entire family featuring not one, but two delectible buttets, one decked out and dazzling for Mom & Dad, and one just for the kids. There will be an interactive magician during dinner and live magic show after dinner. Complete with marshmallows and hot chocolate for all. Dinner, show and campfire: adults $59.95, kid’s $28.95, children 5 and under $9.95. To book you reservations call the Pinestone Resort & Conference Centre at 705-457-1800 or 1-800-461-0357. Visit their website at www.pinestone-resort.com
First Night Celebration Dinner
December 31 2009

Join us in Heatherwood Restaurant for an intimate dinner with friends, or just for two. Enjoy a menu planned especially for this evening. Finish the evening off by ringing in the New Year enjoying Highlanders Lounge. (There is no cover charge for the Heather Restaurant dinner guests.)
To reserve contact the Pineston Resort & Conference Centre at 705-457-1800 or 1-800461-0357 or visit their website at www.pinestone-resort.com

Credit:
“From all of us at the Visitor Information Centre for the County of Haliburton we would like to extend warm wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday.
See you in 2010.

Sincerely,
Amy Brohm, Ann Lavery, James Stewart and John Stark”

Thanks from me to the above-named staff of What’s Happening this Week in the Haliburton Highlands–the Haliburton Visitor’s Information Centre.

I believe in 2009 they have outdone themselves with the depth and breathe of their highly-informational Highlands Newsletter.

There is quite literally something for everyone with a (pleasantly) surprisingly diverse range of activities that will take you right through winter 2010 in the Haliburton Highlands–all of which you can find out about through reading the newsletter in your email–FREE. I never miss them!

Happy Christmas!

Cyn

Haliburton County – Maple Lake, Ontario – Weekend and Long-Range Weather – September 25 – Oct 1

Ξ September 24th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Autumn, Haliburton Highlands, Maple Lake Ontario, Ontario, Photography, Travel/Vacation, boating, canada, cottage country, marine/marina, weather, webcam |

Indian River, Port Carling, Ontario - 9.24.09

Weather Forecast - Friday - September 25, 2009

The weather forecast for West Guilford/Haliburton Highlands on Friday is no surprise to anyone that’s kept track of  many Fridays over the summer. It with be clear and beautiful with sunny skies. Expect a comfortable high of 57° F. Lows Friday night will be in the mid 40’sF°.

Looking ahead to the coming weekend, Saturday starts off partly sunny with a high temperature of about 61° F. In the afternoon you may see some isolated showers. Expect a low overnight of about 41°F.

The weekend closes as a cloudy day with showers on Sunday and a high of 63°F.  Evening temperatures will be mild with a low about 55°F.

The traditional workweek on Monday starts with light rain and a high of 57°F. Overnight lows should be about 48°F.

Tuesday will be yet another day of light rain with a chilly daytime high of only 48°F.  Overnight temperatures are expected to dip down into the low 30’s°F.

Wednesday, expect a reprieve from the rain. Variable cloudiness is predicted with the high a brisk 46°F. Overnight temperatures are expected to about 37°F.

Thursday, the sunshine returns! Expect a sunny day with the high about 55°F. Overnight lows however, will dip down to freezing at 32°F.

Have a great week!

*Sorry that there was no forecast here on Maple Lake Ontario this past week.  I had my first major computer meltdown and ended up wiping the hard drive. With help from both my sons I am back up and running along with my photo program which I realize is totally priceless. From here on in I should be able to stay current on the weather, the webcam shots and with any luck some nice change of colours fall photos.

Dorset, Ontario 9.24.09

Kincardine Channel, Lake Erie, Ontario 9.24.09

Kincardine Harbour, Lake Erie, Ontario 9.24.09

Ontario Fall Colour Routes & Great Links to Color Reports – For A Limited Time Only!

Ξ September 18th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Algonquin Township, Haliburton Highlands, Maple Lake Ontario, NON paid Post, Ontario, Photography, Trails, Travel/Vacation, canada, fall colours |

Photo: Janet Gosselin - North Bay, Ontario Canada // Shot: September 12, 2009

More than a dozen overnight “Fall Colour” Routes & suggested fall colour foliage road trips are within 1-7 hours from the junction of Highways 400 & 11 in Barrie, Ontario. With the routes mapped out so nicely, the hardest part is deciding which one(s) to take. The guides that follow can help you plan the timing of your fall foliage trips so that you can enjoy them when fall colours in each region are at their peak!

Additional fall colour road trips are available by geographical locations east of Toronto, and west of Toronto to Northern Ontario. Unsurprisingly, leaf colour changes occur earlier the further north in Ontario one travels.

The diversity of the Algonquin area resorts destination is unmatched in North America.  Below are three  spectacular suggested fall colour routes which could form part of an Algonquin Park circle tour drive or road trip.

The fall colour road trips include the Southern Algonquin Route, Algonquin East Side and the Northern Algonquin Route as recommended touring routes with helpful identification of attractions, accommodations, and driving directions.

More links to Fab Fall Colours!

Ontario Fall Colour Routes & Links to Color Reports

Fancy Fall  Colours
Algonquin Area Getaways Fall Colours (Fall
Colors)

Check for Fall Fairs on your fall colours  road trip

This information  is offered in an effort to promote Ontario tourism and because I really miss experiencing firsthand the beautiful fall colour change that can only be found in this part of North America.

Haliburton County Maple Lake Ontario – Weekend and Long-Range Weather – September 12-19

Ξ September 12th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Haliburton, Haliburton Highlands, Maple Lake Ontario, Photography, Travel/Vacation, canada, cottage country, family, holiday(s), weather |

Above is proof that Haliburton County is enjoying a gorgeous day. Next year, if I go up to the Lake* (explanation after jump) and the weather is a nice as this, I’m staying through September!

EDIT/So tonight Saturday–a lovely clear overnight with temperatures only going down to 54°F.

The Weekend Weather - Sept 12 -13, 2009

Sunday looks like another pretty day with temperatures Sunday afternoon about 70°F.

The work week gets off to a very nice start.  It’ll be mainly sunny and about 73°F for a high. Nighttime low is to be about 48°F.

Weather Forecast- West Guilford, Ontario

Tuesday though sunny, will bring a drop in temperatures–down to 63°F for the daytime high, 50°F overnight. Wednesday, expect another sunny day with temperatures very much like Tuesday. 64°F will be the daytime high. Overnight temps on Wednesday will drop to 45°F.  Thursday, expect variable cloudiness and a high of 66°F. Nighttime lows are getting lower. Overnight Thursday, expect it to be about 43°F.

Friday bring showers and a daytime high of 64°F. Overnight the temperature drop continues down to 41°F.  The sun returns on Saturday with a high temperature expected to be about 63°F with an overnight low of 39°F.

Have a great week!

(more…)

Weekend and Long Term Weather – Haliburton Highlands – Maple Lake – 8.28.25 – 09.03.09

Ξ August 28th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Haliburton, Haliburton Highlands, NON paid Post, Ontario, Photography, Trails, Travel/Vacation, art/crafts, canada, cottage country, family, fun activity, holiday(s), nature, summertime |

Inuksuk, Fleming College, Haliburton Campus, August 2009

The weather people are categorizing this summer’s weather as “unusual” which somehow strikes me the same way as when one comments upon something as being “interesting.”

The weather guys offered up several scenarios including the jet stream in the wrong place and ice on Hudson Bay but ultimately concede that there’s really no explaining the weather definitively.

So, what to expect this week?

Tonight (Friday) as today has been, rather mild with light rain.

Saturday, expect light rain or “cloudy with showers” conditions throughout the day into evening. The daytime high will be about 59°F. Sunday showers will be isolated. The high will be 60°F and low 51°F.

Monday will be as many Mondays this summer have been–sunny. On this last day of August fall begins to creep into the air with Monday high of 60°F and an overnight low of 48°F. September starts off promisingly. Expect sunny skies and a comfortable high of 68°F. Nighttime temperatures will dip down to 46°F.

Wednesday expect another bright sunny day. Temperatures again will be quite lovely at 71°F. Expect another 48°F nighttime low.

There will be a change in the weather on Thursday. Expect a cloudy day with showers throughout and a high of 68°F.  The low Thursday night will be a chilly 44°F.  Finishing out the week and beginning the Labour Day weekend, expect mainly sunny skies with a nighttime low of 53°F.

I’ll be sure to have the Labour Day weekend weather report up Thursday or early Friday as I’m just as curious as you are what to expect.  I’m looking forward to our return to Maple Lake to close up the cottage and I’m hoping for one nice day to get in some Lake time.

Have a great week!

More photos taken by my spouse, Roger Corrao with the first Panasonic point and shoot we’ve ever owned. We were both getting familiar with it at this point  though I daresay he caught on much more quickly than did I.

[View with PicLens]

Maple Lake, Ontario – Tornadoes Strike in the Area – Burnished Orange Sky – Next Days’ Clearing

Ξ August 26th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Haliburton Highlands, Maple Lake Ontario, Ontario, Photography, Travel/Vacation, canada, cottage country, family, holiday(s), nature, personal, summertime, weather |

Fierce rain, wind and thunder and a weird, orange sky - Maple Lake August, 2009

[View with PicLens]

Click thumbnails to embiggen

We had some notable weather whilst at Maple Lake plus I had some really intense storms go over when alone  in the cottage for an additional week. My battery was charging on the new Panasonic Lumix point and shoot I bought specifically for this trip when the tornadoes hit the area and spouse had taken the other camera home with him so I was late to the picture-taking party of the crazy-orange skies. At least I’d finally gotten the hang of taking clear pictures. I’d been doing the stupidest thing or more correctly, not doing the most basic thing you do before taking a digital photograph.

Anyway I ran out of good weather and out of time prior to me getting very many shots off but spouse did ‘cos he gets up in the a.m. so I have many to post that he took and technically, he’s a better shooter than I am—not that I’m all that. :p

*These are all mine, tho’.

Cheers!

Cyn

Maple Lake between storms - August, 2009

Maple Lake, Ontario, Canada – August 19, 2009 – Video

Ξ August 20th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Algonquin Township, Haliburton Highlands, Haliburton Highlands, Maple Lake Ontario, Ontario, Photography, Travel/Vacation, canada, cottage country, family, nature, summertime, weather |

Maple Lake, Ontario, Canada – August 19, 2009 from Cynthia McCrackan on Vimeo.

One of the worst summers weather-wise in many years, the sun finally came out and we all rejoiced.

Tubing on Maple Lake at Sunset - 8.19.09

As I noted previously, we had a really miserable 2 weeks of vacation weather with just a few tiny breaks which needed to be timed correctly to enjoy and since one never knew exactly when these itty bitty breaks would occur it was a bit frustrating, to say the least. It was a replay of last summer, which at the time could be dismissed as one wistfully recalled the summers past with reams of sunshine and blue skies, lovely daytime temperatures, approaching hot by the Lake–then cool overnights happily bundled under the quilt. Funny how we mostly remember the good stuff as the past grows ever more distant.
The charm sort of wore off this time ’round and perhaps I speak only for myself, though my relatives seemed a bit peeved by crummy weather too, and hypothetically they can zip up here at a moment’s notice as they are an easy 2 hours–and less away.
For my little family however, having driven almost 700 miles to get here we couldn’t exactly decide to go home for a few days and return, rinse, repeat.
However as the video shows it was nice yesterday and in fact we’ve had several good days or at least partially good–rain part of the day and then most welcome sunshine later (or I’m told, occasionally visa-versa. I keep semi-vampire hours so I must take the word of anyone who reports what it’s like outside between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m).
I’ve been alone in the cottage since spouse shuttled son home Saturday and really alone after my cousins and neighbours left, except a very, very quiet one who I did not even know was here until I went outside in my bathrobe to retrieve clothes off the line! Glad I wore that bathrobe. LOL
So I’m alone, I like quiet to write and what happens? The weather turns nice and I want to play hooky!
Now I’m back to work but I indulged in learning to work my fancy-pants point and shoot camera and though my videography skills leave a lot to be desired I will, in the weeks to come share videos and photos of what I still consider to be a little slice of heaven on earth-Maple Lake.

Maple Lake Ontario – 08.16.09 – Hot, Humid, Buggy

Ξ August 17th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Haliburton, Haliburton Highlands, Maple Lake Ontario, Ontario, Photography, Travel/Vacation, United States, canada, cottage country, family, nature, personal, summertime, weather |

[View with PicLens]

It finally turned warm for the first full weekend this summer. It turned really warm. And humid.

In the early evening, prior to sunset I thought I’d go and snap a few photographs–which I did– but as soon as I got in the  vicinity of  the back field I started getting eaten alive–and I had bug spray on!

Big storms came in tonight. They came up so quickly that the screen blew in at the front of the cottage and quite a bit of water came in too through the upper window which I have to go outside to close. I was too late though. The winds were so strong I could barely open the  front door, never mind play around with a 12 foot window closing stick (I usually love using it–so simple yet effective–a wonderful example of something made by my grandfather, who with my dad, built these cottages that we all enjoy).  Anyway I got some plastic sheeting and *lightbulb,* a large umbrella and after the worst of the first storm passed I went out and closed up.

Right now, I’m alone here as we are driving back to the States in shifts.

Despite the rotten weather the first two weeks here were OK and then I really wanted to be done with it.

Cabin fever, I suppose.

Also, things are so different here now. It’s like party central every weekend. The guy across the way shoots off fireworks well into the late evening (meaning near midnight) every. single. weekend and that crew is incredibly raucous until 2, 3, 4 in the morning.

I work at night as you can see from the posting time and me and a bunch of party animals just don’t mesh well.

You were here and so was I and it’s the same as it ever was, isn’t it?

Cheers,

Cyn

Weekend and Long Term Weather – Haliburton Highlands – Maple Lake – Bug Report 8.14.25 – 08.19.09

Ξ August 15th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Algonquin Township, Haliburton Highlands, Bug Report, Haliburton, Haliburton Highlands, Maple Lake Ontario, My dog, Ontario, Photography, Raven, Travel/Vacation, beach, boating, canada, cottage country, health/happiness, marine/marina, nature, opinion, personal, summertime, weather |

The weekend weather forecast for the Haliburton Highlands is the best so far this summer!

It’s truly gorgeous–sunny, clear, humidity is tolerable. And it’s going to be nice on Sunday, too! Can you believe it? I need to pinch myself ‘cos it’s been so long since Maple Lake has had an entire weekend that was this nice.

My weekender neighbours are quite fortunate since they just need to pack an overnight bag and in a snap they can be in paradise. Not quite as fortunate are folks like my immediate family who left today to return to the States.

Turning quite serious, folks, we are all on the same page on global warming now, right? We acknowledge it; it is happening right now. We have used and abused our poor planet and it does not have to be reflected as “warming” in certain spots. Here in the Haliburton Highlands, it’s been really cold and wet until this week. Pay attention to the excessive precipitation, especially.

Maple Lake, to be frank, has given me an eye infection simply by using lake water to wash my face. I know this because I wear goggles in the lake as I am unable to see without my contact lenses. The waters of Maple Lake have spewed up all kinds of garbage this summer–literally all kinds of plastic, coke cans. I’ve not ever seen it like this and it makes me really sad.

I’m sure I’m not the first but I feel that the year-rounders, the permanent residents should move forward to protect the lakes of Haliburton County. Obviously, we cannot change how Mother Nature is behaving right now but we can change human behaviour. Impose restrictions to protect our lakes and all nature that depend on the ecosystem, as people haven’t shown willingness to “reign it in” on their own.

First, I would like to see the obvious pollutants removed from the Lake. I would like to see a ban on motorboats that leak gasoline into the lakes and nearly drown swimmers like me with their huge waves (not kidding– HUGE waves).

Truly, I hate the noise too, but it’s the pollution that is sickening me. The boats are getting more powerful, ridiculously fast, and burning petrol at a time when I thought we were supposed to be practicing conservation. Our lakes are what make this area the paradise that it is. And we are doing our damnedest to destroy paradise.

Please, Haliburton Highland year-rounders, restrict the use of motorboats to the weekend and otherwise allow all the the other nonpolluting boats free and unfettered any time. The beautiful sailboats, the rowboats, canoes, paddleboats—all of them wind/man-powered and not harmful to our dying lakes.

If we don’t start reigning in our excesses and our abuse of the lakes of Cottage Country there is no doubt in my mind that we shall lose them. Nothing would be sadder if our unquenchable need for “things” and need to have the biggest, fastest motorboats and personal motorized vehicles hastened the death of our lakes–leaving nothing left for anyone.

I can only hope that the fine people that live year-round on Maple Lake and in the Maple Lake area take action this winter and next summer to deal with the craziness that breaks out every weekend here with ridiculous amount of polluting watercraft on what was what was once a clean lake. It’s not just here but throughout Cottage Country.

Also, as related to a lesser pollution, what the heck is with the unrestricted use of fireworks on Maple Lake every single weekend? Hey, I LOVE fireworks. They can be really special–but every weekend?! WTH? My poor dog is terrified. She shakes and glues herself to her people.

Ban fireworks on Maple Lake except for Canada Day, period. Stop the insanity, please.

/end preachy rant

Here’s the rest of the weather. If you can, stay up an extra day as Monday will still be beautiful:

As for the bugs, it has warmed up, they like warm, there are lots of them. Stay in the lake and otherwise slather on your insect repellent of choice.

Have a great week!

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